How to Make Cannabutter
Cannabutter is the foundation of homemade cannabis edibles — master this one recipe and every infused food in the kitchen becomes possible.
Decarboxylation: The Critical First Step
Raw cannabis contains THCA — the acidic, non-psychoactive precursor to THC. When you smoke or vaporize, the heat instantly converts THCA to THC. In edibles, this conversion must happen before infusion through a process called decarboxylation (decarbing). Skipping or underdoing decarboxylation produces weak, inconsistent edibles regardless of how much cannabis you use. Over-decarboxylating degrades THC and reduces potency. The target temperature window is 105-115C for 40-50 minutes — hot enough to drive off the CO2 molecule that differentiates THCA from THC, without degrading THC to CBN. Spread cannabis in a thin, even layer on a baking sheet for consistent heat exposure. Cover with foil to prevent terpene loss and reduce odor during the process. A cannabis-specific decarboxylation device like the Ardent Nova or FX provides precise temperature control and is worth the investment for regular edible makers. The cannabis should look slightly darker brown and smell toasted after successful decarboxylation. This decarbed cannabis can also be used directly in capsules (see our cannabis capsules guide), added to smoothies, or sprinkled on food for basic edible effects.
Infusion Ratios and Potency Calculation
Understanding potency helps you produce consistent, dosed cannabutter rather than mystery-strength batches. The basic calculation: if your cannabis tests at 15% THC and you use 7g, that is 1050mg THC. With roughly 70% decarboxylation and infusion efficiency, your cannabutter contains approximately 735mg THC total across 1 cup (16 tablespoons / 48 teaspoons). Per teaspoon: approximately 15mg THC. Per tablespoon: approximately 46mg THC. A standard cookie recipe using 1/2 cup butter (8 tablespoons) and yielding 24 cookies would produce cookies with approximately 15mg each — a moderate dose for experienced users, too high for beginners. Adjust the cannabis-to-butter ratio to control dose per serving. For lower-dose edibles suitable for sensitive users or microdosers, use half the cannabis (3.5g per cup of butter) to produce approximately 7.5mg per teaspoon. The relationship between starting material potency and final dose is explored further in our comprehensive cannabis dosing guide.
Butter vs Coconut Oil for Infusion
Traditional cannabutter uses dairy butter, but coconut oil has gained popularity as an alternative infusion fat. The choice matters for both culinary and practical reasons. Dairy butter contains approximately 80% fat. Coconut oil is nearly 100% fat. Since THC is fat-soluble, coconut oil theoretically extracts more cannabinoids per unit weight. In practice, the difference is modest, but coconut oil does produce a slightly more efficient infusion. Coconut oil remains solid at room temperature (below 24C), making it easy to work with for baking. It has a neutral-to-slightly-coconut flavor that works well in most edible recipes. It is also vegan, which dairy butter is not. Dairy butter has a richer flavor that many bakers prefer, particularly for traditional baked goods where the butter flavor contributes to the finished product. Clarified butter (ghee) is another option — with the water and milk solids removed, it infuses even more efficiently than regular butter and has a higher smoke point. For cannabis tinctures and oil-based products rather than solid fat infusions, our cannabis oil guide and tincture guide cover those methods comprehensively.
Storage and Shelf Life
Properly made and stored cannabutter can last several weeks in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer. The key is airtight storage to prevent oxidation and flavor contamination from other refrigerator odors. Store cannabutter in a sealed glass container or wrap tightly in parchment paper inside a zip-lock bag. Label with the date and approximate potency (mg THC per tablespoon) so you can dose accurately over time without recalculating. Signs that cannabutter has spoiled: mold growth (any color), significant off-odor, or a rancid smell. Properly made cannabutter should smell earthy and slightly herbal. If water was not fully separated during the refrigeration step, remaining water in the butter accelerates spoilage significantly. For longer-term storage without freezing, some makers clarify their cannabutter by gently reheating and skimming off the milk solids — this produces a more shelf-stable product similar to ghee. Store cannabutter separately from regular butter and in a clearly labeled, childproof container. Keep all cannabis edibles and infused products secured away from children and pets. This storage principle applies equally to cannabis tinctures and other homemade infused products.
Step-by-Step Guide
Preheat oven to 110-115C (230-240F). Spread ground cannabis on a baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, stirring once at 20 minutes. This converts THCA to THC.
In a saucepan, melt 225g (1 cup) of unsalted butter with 240ml (1 cup) of water over low heat. Water prevents burning and is separated later.
Add 7-14g of decarboxylated cannabis to the melted butter. The ratio determines potency: 7g produces milder butter, 14g produces stronger.
Maintain temperature between 60-70C (140-160F). Never boil — boiling degrades THC. Stir every 30 minutes. The butter will turn green.
Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth over a bowl. Pour the mixture through and press the plant material gently to extract remaining butter. Do not squeeze hard — this adds chlorophyll and bitterness.
Refrigerate the strained liquid for 2-3 hours. The butter solidifies on top; the water separates below. Remove the butter disc and discard the water.
Store cannabutter in an airtight container in the refrigerator (2-3 weeks) or freezer (6 months). Test with a small amount (1/4 teaspoon) before baking to assess potency.
External Research Sources
FAQ: Making Cannabutter
Do I have to decarboxylate cannabis before making cannabutter?
How much cannabis should I use per cup of butter?
Can I use stems and leaves to make cannabutter?
Why did my cannabutter turn out very green and taste bitter?
What temperature should cannabutter simmer at?
How do I know how strong my cannabutter is?
Related Guides
Written by Lisa Torres, Cannabis Lifestyle Writer. Published 2025-10-07.